Berlusconi's regret at Nazi jibe defuses diplomatic stand-off

Friday 4 July 2003 02.52 EDT
First published on Friday 4 July 2003 02.52 EDT

Italy's billionaire prime minister Silvio Berlusconi last night expressed regret for his Nazi jibe against a German MEP, in a bid to end a serious diplomatic stand-off between the two countries just as Italy takes over the European Union presidency.

The German chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, who had demanded a full and formal apology, told a news conference in Berlin: "He expressed regret for the choice of this expression and comparison. I explained to him that as far as I am concerned this ends the affair."

Mr Berlusconi's comments in the European parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday were "inappropriate and completely unacceptable", Mr Schröder added.

Mr Berlusconi's office in Rome issued a statement confirming that the prime minister had expressed regret for the misunderstanding over his comments, but also insisting the Italian prime minister had been offended.

"During a telephone conversation with the German chancellor, the prime minister told him about the serious affront that he faced in the European parliament yesterday," the Italian statement said.

Mr Berlusconi's jibe followed criticism on Wednesday from a German MEP, Martin Schulz, over the Italian prime minister's use of an immunity law to sidestep bribery charges. The Italian leader riposted: "Mr Schulz, I know there is a producer in Italy who is making a film on Nazi concentration camps. I will suggest you for the role of commandant. You'd be perfect."

"It is clear to everyone that a good bit of provocation was organised to damage me," the prime minister said. "Unfortunately I fell for it."

Enrico Boselli, the leader of the Social Democrats of Italy party, said: "We hope, at least, that this episode will serve as a lesson [for Mr Berlusconi] and that next time, provocation or not, he will count to ten before answering."

"Mr Berlusconi has caused a major crisis unlike any other in EU history," said Enrique Baron, president of the socialist group in the 626-member European parliament.

Mr Schröder said he told Mr Berlusconi it was in Europe's interest that the Italian presidency of the EU, which began on Tuesday, "should now be a success" - especially because European leaders faced "a very important decision" on a European constitution at the end of the year.

Hans-Gert Pöttering, chairman of the European People's party, the dominant group in parliament, had also asked Mr Schulz to apologise for his "offending remarks."

Romano Prodi, the Italian president of the European commission, meeting the prime minister in Rome today, declined to comment but he was said to be mortified by the incident.

In Italy, state television's evening news programme TG1 dubbed over the prime minister's voice as he delivered his offending "joke". "TG1 shuts its ears and hides European gaffe," said the left-leaning daily Repubblica. The chiefs of the three state television channels, which are all indirectly controlled by Mr Berlusconi, were called for questioning next week by a parliamentary broadcasting commission.